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THK 


STABAT  MATER  SPECIOSA 


AND   THE 


STABAT  MATER  DOLOROSA 


TRANSLATED    BY 

FRANKLIN    JOHNSON 


WITH    ILLUSTRATIONS    FROM  THE    OLD    MASTERS 


BOSTON 
D.    LOTHROP    AND    COMPANY 

Fraxklix  and  Hawley  Streets 


Copyright '; 

By  D.  Lothrop  &  Co. 

1886. 


ELECTROTYPED 

By  C.  J.  Peters  and  Son,  Boston 


LLUSTRATIONS 


Photogravure  Reproductions  from  Paintings. 


The  Sistine  Madonna    ....  Raphael 

Eccb  Homo Guido    . 

Madonna  della  Scala  ....  Correggio 

La  Madonna  del  Geanducca     .  Raphael 

Mater  Dolorosa Guide    . 

St.  John  and  Mary Plockhurst 


Frontispiece 

Facing  15 

"      22 

.    "      26 

.    "      30 

.    "      34 


INTRODUCTION 


i. 

THE    HYMNS. 

I  here  present  to  the  reader,  in  the  original  Latin  and  in 
English  translations  preserving  the  measure  of  the  Latin,  the 
two  most  tender  hymns  of  the  Roman  Church,  the  Stabat 
Mater  Speciosa  and  the  Stabat  Mater  Dolorosa,  or,  as  they  are 
frequently  called,  the  Mater  Speciosa  and  the  Mater  Dolorosa. 
They  are  closely  related  :  in  metrical  structure  they  are  alike, 
and  much  of  the  language  is  the  same  in  both.  But  though 
they  thus  resemble  each  other  in  external  features,  they  differ 
in  spirit  and  aim.  The  first  is  a  paean,  the  second  a  dirge ;  the 
first  is  adapted  to  Christmas,  the  second  to  Good  Friday;  the 
first  contemplates  the  cradle  of  Christ,  the  second  His  cross; 
the  first  rejoices  in  the  birth  of  the  Divine  Babe,  though  its 
happiness  is  dashed  with  tears  as  it  looks  from  the  glad  begin- 
ning to  the  tragical  end,  from  Bethlehem  to  Calvary,  from  the 
manger  to  the  tomb,  while  the  second  exhibits  throughout  a 
heart  broken  by  the  anguish  of  Mary  and  her  Son. 

5 


6  IXTRODUCTIOX. 

Did  either  of  these  sacred  poems  stand  alone,  it  would  be  re- 
garded as  an  original  work  of  the  highest  beauty  and  pathos ; 
but  a  comparison  of  the  two  renders  it  evident  that  one  was  de- 
rived from  the  other.  Dr.  John  Mason  Neale,  the  eminent 
translator  of  Latin  hymns,  assigned  the  priority  to  the  Mater 
Speciosa ;  but  Dr.  Philip  Schaff,  with  more  reason,  expresses 
the  contrary  opinion,  and  observes  that  the  Mater  Dolorosa 
was  suggested  by  the  prophecy  of  Simeon  in  Luke  2  :  35,  and 
the  incident  related  in  John  19  :  25,  "  Now  there  stood  by  the 
cross  of  Jesus  his  mother."  If  the  Mater  Dolorosa  were  the 
offspring  of  the  Mater  Speciosa,  it  would  probably  not  have 
struck  its  roots  into  these  minute  details  of  sacred  history.  But 
granting  that  the  Mater  Dolorosa  is  the  earlier,  it  is  easy  to  see 
how  the  Mater  Speciosa  grew  out  of  it. 


II. 

THE    FAME    OF    THE   MATER    DOLOROSA. 

The  Stabat  Mater  Dolorosa  is  much  better  known  than  its 
companion  hymn,  owing  perhaps  to  its  theme;  since  the  death 
of  Christ  possesses  an  interest  for  the  disciple  which  even  His 
birth  cannot  match.  It  has  long  been  sung  in  the  Roman 
churches  on  the  Friday  in  Passion  Week,  and  on  the  third 
Sunday  in  September.  In  many  places  its  separate  stanzas  are 
interposed  between  the  divisions  of  the  Stations  of  the  Cross. 
In  the  Sistine  Chapel  it  is  used  as  an  offertory  on  the  Thursday 
of  Holy  Week.  It  has  inspired  the  genius  of  the  greatest 
musicians.  Pergolesi  composed  his  Stabat  Mater  on  his  death- 
bed, and  produced  a  work  justly  celebrated  for  the  depth  and 
sincerity  of  its  pathos.  There  are  two  Stabat  Maters  by  Pales- 
trina,  '•  either  of  which."  it  has  been  said,  "would  suffice  to 
immortalize  him."  One  of  these  is  employed  in  the  Sistine 
Chapel.  The  Stabat  Mater  of  Hayden  is  "a  treasury  of  re- 
fined and  graceful  melody."     That  of  Rossini  is  more  artificial, 

7 


8  INTRODUCTION. 

shallow,  and  worldly:  it  lias  been  compared  to  "a  Mater 
Dolorosa  painted,  standing  under  the  cross,  and  clad  in  a 
Parisian  court-dress."  The  translations  of  the  Mater  Dolorosa 
are  numerous  in  all  the  languages  of  Christendom  which  pos- 
sess a  literature. 


III. 

THE    GROWING    FAME    OF    THE    MATER 
SPECIOSA. 

The  Mater  Speciosa,  on  the  other  hand,  has  been  known  to 
the  world  but  a  short  time,  although  it  comes  to  us  from  the 
same  antiquity  to  which  we  are  indebted  for  its  sorrowful  asso- 
ciate. Like  the  Mater  Dolorosa,  it  was  published  in  1495;  but 
it  attracted  little  attention  till  1852,  when  Ozanam  brought  it 
out  in  his  work  on  the  Franciscan  Poets.  So  far  as  I  am 
aware,  it  is  not  used  in  the  Roman  churches ;  it  has  never  been 
made  the  subject  of  an  elaborate  musical  composition ;  and  few 
translations  of  it  exist. 


IV. 

THE    AUTHOR. 

The  Mater  Dolorosa  has  been  attributed  to  several  different 
authors.  The  most  recent  and  careful  studies  render  it  proba- 
ble, though  not  certain,  that  we  are  indebted  to  Giacomo  da 
Todi  for  this  exquisite  hymn.  He  was  born  in  the  twelfth  cen- 
tury, at  Todi,  Umbria,  Italy,  of  the  noble  family  of  the 
Benedetti.  His  name  sometimes  appears  in  the  Latin  form  of 
Jacobus  de  Benedictis.  He  became  eminent  in  Rome  as  a  law- 
yer and  judge,  and  enriched  himself.  He  lived  carelessly  dur- 
ing his  earlier  years  of  professional  success ;  but  the  death  of 
his  wife,  who  was  killed  by  the  falling  of  a  crowded  scaffold  at 
a  public  spectacle,  changed  the  whole  direction  of  his  career, 
and  he  abandoned  secular  concerns  and  entered  the  Franciscan 
order  of  monks.  This  society  was  then  at  the  height  of  its 
primitive  enthusiasm,  but  the  new  member  surpassed  his  fel- 
lows in  ardor,  and  at  times  became  insane  with  exaggerated 
fervor.  He  inflicted  upon  himself  severe  tortures.  On  one 
occasion  he  entered  the  public  market-place  naked,  on  hands 

10 


INTRODUCTION,  \\ 

and  feet,  with  a  saddle  on  his  back  and  a  bridle  in  his  month: 
and  on  another  lie  went  to  the  wedding  of  his  niece  covered 
only  with  feathers  of  various  colors,  in  which  he  had  rolled 
after  anointing  his  body  with  oil.  By  such  actions  did  he  ex- 
press his  contempt  for  the  world  and  its  usages,  and  earn  the 
derisive  appellation  of  Giacopone,  or  Jacob  the  Great.  But 
these  things,  related  by  Wadding,  himself  a  Franciscan,  and  the 
historian  of  his  order,  should  not  lead  us  to  doubt  the  sinceritv 
and  piety  of  the  zealot:  we  must  consider  that  his  age  differed 
from  ours.  One  extreme  begets  another;  and  the  prevalent 
corruptions  of  society  produced  their  opposite  in  an  asceticism 
which  at  times  passed  into  frenzy.  Giacomo  was  severe  in  his 
criticisms  not  only  of  the  world,  but  also  of  the  Church,  and, 
having  offended  Boniface  VIII.,  that  Pope  imprisoned  him. 
He  was  liberated  on  the  death  of  the  pontiff,  and  closed  his  life 
not  long  afterwards,  in  1306,  an  aged  man.  "He  died."  says 
Wadding,  "like  a  swan,  having  composed  several  hymns  just 
before. v  His  book  of  Spiritual  Songs,  though  written  in  the 
formative  period  of  the  Italian  language,  and  hence  presenting 
a  mixture  of  barbarous  dialects,  has  given  him  a  permanent 
place  among  the  poets  of  his  nation. 

The   Mater   Speciosa  has  also   been  attributed  to  Giacomo, 
and,  together  with  the  Mater  Dolorosa,  was  published  in   the 


1 2  INTB  OB  UCTION. 

Latin  appendix  to  his  Italian  poems,  at  Brescia,  in  1495.  Its 
close  resemblance  to  the  Mater  Dolorosa  constitutes  strong  evi- 
dence of  a  common  authorship  for  both.  The  fervor  of  the 
hymn,  and  specially  of  the  tenth  stanza,  which  almost  borders 
upon  madness,  agrees  well  with  the  character  of  the  monk. 
This  conclusion  has  been  opposed  on  the  ground  that  a  writer 
would  hardly  wish  to  produce  such  an  imitation  of  his  own  work. 
Were  the  Mater  Speciosa  in  any  proper  sense  a  parody  of  the 
Mater  Dolorosa,  the  objection  would  possess  weight;  but  it 
loses  its  force  when  we  consider  that  the  Mater  Speciosa  is 
almost  the  equal  of  the  Mater  Dolorosa  in  propriety  of  thought, 
in  tenderness  and  reverence  of  sentiment,  and  in  grace  of 
expression. 


V. 
THE    PORTRAITURES    OF    MARY. 

The  fine  genius  of  the  author  is  shown  in  his  two  portrait- 
ures of  the  mother  of  Jesus,  which,  though  near  akin,  are  yet 
distinct.  In  the  Mater  Speciosa  her  features  are  those  of  a 
maiden,  youthful,  fair,  active,  pure,  and  full  of  changing  emo- 
tions. In  the  Mater  Dolorosa,  however,  her  appearance  is 
matronly ;  we  perceive  that  she  has  acquired  weight  of  character 
with  the  lapse  of  years ;  and  she  weeps  with  such  quiet  dignity 
of  sorrow  that  she  impresses  us  as  a  large  and  stately  figure. 
In  neither  poem  is  there  any  attempt  to  describe  her,  yet  the 
pictures  of  the  Mary  but  just  emerged  from  girlhood,  in  the 
first  bliss  of  maternity,  conscious  that  she  has  brought  the  Son 
of  God  into  the  world,  and  of  the  Mary  past  mid-life,  wise  with 
much  experience,  steadfast  and  strong  of  soul,  and  suffering  in 
unfathomed  grief,  are  as  definite  as  they  could  be  made.  The 
translator  must  not  confuse  these  delineations. 

Nearly  all  the  words  used  in  the  Mater  Dolorosa  to  express 
the  grief  of  Mary,  like  "contristo,"  "doleo,''  "afnictus,"  "tris- 

13 


14  /  V  TB  OD  UCTION. 

tis,"  and  'k  supplicium,"  refer  must  naturally  only  to  the  emo- 
tions of  the  heart.    A  few,  such  as  u  maereo,"  have  well-marked 
primary  and  secondary  meanings,  the  primary  pointing  to  the 
inward  anguish,  and  the  secondary  to  its  outward  expression. 
I  am  convinced  by  the  general  cast  of  the  hymn  that  these  are 
used  in  their  primary  signification.    The  principal  words  relat- 
ing to  the  action  of  Mary  are  those  which  represent  her  as  trem- 
bling, as  shedding  tears,  and  as  weeping.    Only  once  is  she  said 
to  wail,  and  that  is  near  the  close  of  the  poem,  after  her  Son  has 
yielded  up  His  spirit,  when  the  custom  of  the  East  would  re- 
quire such  lamentation.     The  picture  as  a  whole  is  one  of  sor- 
row  too  deep   for   obtrusive    manifestation :    the    sword    has 
pierced  the  soul  of  the  mother,  but  she  endures  in  silence,  and 
her  agony  acquires  majesty  from  her  quietude.     The  transla- 
tor, therefore,  must  beware  not  to  represent  her  as  sighing,  as 
moaning,  as  groaning,  throughout  the  scene. 


VI. 

THE   LATIN    TEXT. 

As  usually  printed,  the  Mater  Speciosa  has  twelve  stanzas. 
and  the  Mater  Dolorosa  ten.  I  here  place  the  two  hymns  be- 
side each  other,  that  the  reader  may  see  at  a  glance  the  inti- 
mate relation  between  them. 


MATER   SPECIOSA. 

1.   Stabat  mater  speciosa 
Juxta  fcenum  gaudiosa, 

Duin  jacebat  parvulus; 
Cujus  animam  gaudentem, 
Laetabimdam  ac  ferventem, 

Pertransivit  jubilus. 


MATER    DOLOROSA. 

1.    stabat  mater  dolorosa 
Juxta  crueem  lacrymosa, 

Dum  pendebat  Filius; 
Cujus  animam  gementem. 
Contristatam  ac  dolentem, 

Pertransivit  dadius. 


2.    O  quam  la?ta  et  beata 
Fuit  ilia  immaculata 

Mater  Unigeniti! 
Qua?  gaudebat  et  ridebat 
Exultabat,  cum  videbat 

Xati  partum  inclyti! 


2.    O  quam  tristis  et  afflicta 
Fuit  ilia  benedicta 
Mater  Unigeniti! 
Qua?  mcerebat  et  dolebat 
Et  tremebat,  cum  videbat 
Nati  poenas  inclyti! 


15 


16 


INTRODUCTIOX. 


3.    Quis  jam  est,  qui  non  gauderet, 
Christi  matrem  si  videret 

In  tanto  solatio  ? 
Quis  non  posset  collaetari, 
Christi  matrem  contemplari 
Ludentem  cum  filio  ? 


3.   Quis  est  homo,  qui  non  fleret, 
Matrem  Christi  si  videret 

In  tanto  supplicio? 
Quis  non  posset  contristari, 
Piam  matrem  contemplari 
Dolentem  cum  Filio  ? 


4.    Pro  peccatis  suae  gentis, 
Christum  vidit  cum  jumentis 

Et  algori  subditum; 
Vidit  suum  dulcem  natum 
Vagientem,  adoratum, 

Vili  diversorio. 


4.   Pro  peccatis  suae  gentis, 
Vidit  Jesum  in  tormentis 

Et  flagellis  subditum; 
Vidit  suum  dulcem  natum 
Morientem,  desolatum, 
Dum  emisit  spiritum. 


5.   Nato  Christo  in  praesepe, 
Cceli  cives  canunt  laete 

Cum  immenso  gaudio; 
Stabat  senex  cum  puella 
Non  cum  verbo  nee  loquela 
Stupescentes  cordibus. 


6.   Eja  mater,  fons  amoris, 
M<*  sentire  vim  ardoris, 

Fac  ut  tecum  sentiam! 
Fac  ut  ardeat  cor  meum 
In  amatum  Christum  Deum, 
Ut  sibi  complaceam. 


5.  Eja  mater,  fons  amoris, 
Me  sentire  vim  doloris, 

Fac  ut  tecum  lugcam! 
Fac  ut  ardeat  cor  meum 
In  amando  Christum  Deum, 

Ut  sibi  complaceam. 


7.    Sancta  mater,  istud  agas, 
Prone  introducas  plagas 
Cordi  fixas  valide. 


6.   Sancta  mater,  istud  agas, 
Crucifixi  fige  plagas 
Cordi  meo  valide. 


INTRODUCTION. 


17 


Tui  nati  coelo  lapsi, 
Jam  dignati  fceno  nasci, 
Poenas  mecum  divide. 


Tui  nati  vulnerati, 
Tarn  dignati  pro  me  pati, 
Pcenas  mecum  divide. 


8.    Fac  me  vere  congaudere, 
Jesulino  cohaerere, 

Donee  ego  vixero. 
In  me  sistat  ardor  tui; 
Puerino  fac  me  frui 
Dum  sum  in  exilio. 


7.    Fac  me  vere  tecum  flere, 
Crucifixo  condolere, 

Donee  ego  vixero. 
Juxta  crucem  tecum  stare, 
Meque  tibi  sociare, 

In  planctu  desidero. 


9.   Virgo  virginum  praeclara, 
Mihi  jam  non  sis  amara; 

Fac  me  parvum  rapere; 
Fac  ut  pulchrum  infantem  portem 
Qui  nascendo  vicit  mortem, 

Volens  vitam  tradere. 


8.   Virgo  virginum  prseclara, 
Mihi  tarn  non  sis  amara; 

Fac  me  tecum  plangere; 
Fac  ut  portem  Christi  mortem, 
Passionis  fac  consortem, 

Et  plagas  recolere. 


10.  Fac  me  tecum  satiari, 
Xato  me  inebriari, 

Stans  inter  tripudio. 
Inflammatus  et  accensus, 
Obstrupescit  omnis  sensus, 

Tali  de  commercio. 


9.    Fac  me  plagis  vulnerari, 
Cruce  hac  inebriari 

Ob  amorem  Filii. 
Inflammatus  et  accensus. 
Per  te,  Virgo,  sim  defensus 

In  die  Judicii. 


11.    Omnes  stabulum  amantes, 
Et  pastores  vigilantes 

Pernoctantes  sociant. 
Per  virtutem  nati  tui 
Ora  ut  electi  sui 

Ad  patriam  veniant. 


18 


INTRODUCTION. 


12.    Fac  me.  nato  custodiri, 
Verbo  Dei  prsemuniri, 

Conservari  gratia; 
Quando  corpus  morietur, 
Fac  ut  anima?  donetur 

Tui  nati  gloria. 


10.    Fac  me  cruce  custodiri, 
Morte  Christi  prsemuniri, 

Confoveri  gratia. 
Quando  corpus  morietur, 
Fac  ut  animse  donetur 

Paradisi  gloria. 


VII. 

THESE  TRANSLATIONS. 

In  my  translations  I  have  sought  to  reproduce  the  meaning 
and  emotion  of  the  Latin  in  acceptable  verse.  The  compiler 
of  "The  Seven  Great  Hymns  of  the  Mediaeval  Church" 
says  in  a  private  letter  to  me :  "  A  translator  might  well 
make  three  translations  of  a  poem;  one  to  portray  its  struc- 
ture, that  is,  its  measure,  melody,  movement,  and  rhyme;  one 
to  present  in  detail  its  ideas ;  and  one  to  produce  an  im- 
pression as  similar  as  possible  to  that  of  the  original  on  the 
mind  of  the  reader.  In  publishing,  he  should  reverse  the  or- 
der, and  put  the  last  first."  My  work  is  designed  to  be  of  the 
third  kind ;  but  I  have  not  forgotten  the  requirements  of  the 
first  and  second.  If  I  have  produced  versions  in  easy  and  nat- 
ural English,  I  have  fulfilled  one  of  my  purposes ;  but  if  my 
work  bears  on  its  face  the  evidence  of  its  derivation  from 
another  language,  in  strained  and  unusual  words  and  construc- 
tions, I  have  failed. 

19 


20  IX  TB  OB  UC  TION. 

The  ninth  stanza  of  the  Mater  Speciosa  begins  with  a  peti- 
tion that  the  Virgin  be  not  bitter  towards  her  suppliant,  a  fit 
preface  to  the  lines  immediately  following,  in  which  he  rises  to 
such  audacity  of  fervor  as  might  be  considered  irreverent,  pro- 
posing to  take  her  infant  from  her  arms  and  bear  it  in  his  own. 
The  corresponding  stanza  of  the  Mater  Dolorosa  opens  with 
the  same  deprecation  of  displeasure  ;  but  the  prayer  thus  in- 
troduced presents  no  special  ground  of  fear,  as  it  is  not  at  all 
more  daring  than  much  that  precedes  it.  Those  who  hold  that 
the  Mater  Speciosa  is  the  original  hymn,  and  that  the  Mater 
Dolorosa  is  its  later  offspring,  might  find  in  this  fact  a  strong, 
though  far  from  conclusive  argument.  As  my  aim  is  to  pro- 
duce versions  that  shall  read  as  nearly  as  possible  like  hymns 
written  at  first  in  our  own  language,  with  the  connections  and 
transitions  of  thought  and  emotion  clearly  marked,  I  have  ven- 
tured upon  a  slight  departure  from  the  Latin  at  this  point  of 
the  Mater  Dolorosa. 

In  order  to  make  a  translation  of  any  poem  that  shall  be  liter- 
al as  to  the  meaning  and  feeling  of  the  author,  it  is  necessary 
occasionally  to  use  language  at  a  certain  remove  from  that  of 
the  text.  Some  translators  of  verse  seek  to  keep  the  exact 
phraseology  of  the  original,  even  at  the  cost  of  the  thought, 
the  emotion,  and  the  elevation  of  style  which  are  necessary  to 


INTRODUCTION.  21 

poetry.  The  result  is  a  dead  imitation,  rather  than  a  living 
reproduction.  The  late  Dr.  John  M.  Neale,  though  his  trans- 
lations are  in  general  very  free,  has  pursued  this  course  in 
his  version  of  the  Mater  Speciosa,  and  his  fifth  stanza  is  an  in- 
structive example  of  the  necessary  issue  of  such  labors  : 

Jesus  lying  in  the  manger. 
Heavenly  armies  sang  the  stranger, 

In  the  great  joy-bearing  part; 
Stood  the  old  man  with  the  maiden, 
No  word  speaking,  only  laden 

With  this  wonder  in  their  heart. 

Here  the  third  line, 

In  the  great  joy-bearing  part, 

conveys  no  sense  whatever.     The  fourth, 

Stood  the  old  man  with  the  maiden, 

though  quite  exact,  presents  a  certain  perplexity  to  the  ordi- 
nary Protestant  reader,  unfamiliar  as  he  is  with  ecclesiastical 
legend  and  Roman  dogmatics.  Only  after  some  study  will  he 
remember  that  ecclesiastical  legend  makes  Joseph  an  old  man 
at  his  marriage,  and  that  Roman  dogmatics  asserts  the  perpet- 
ual virginity  of  Mary,  and  conclude  that  these  are  the  persons 
referred  to.  I  have  thought  it  better  to  translate  in  such  a  way 
as  also  to  interpret. 


22  INTRODUCTION. 

Both  the  Mater  Speciosa  and  the  Mater  Dolorosa  are  disfig- 
ured by  the  gross  Mariolatry  of  the  Roman  Church,  and  on  this 
account  are  unfit  for  the  devotional  use  of  Christians  not  con- 
nected with  that  sect.  I  have  added  adaptations  of  the  hymns 
in  which  this  objectionable  feature  will  not  be  found.  The 
modification  extends  to  but  a  few  phrases,  and  does  not  affect 
in  the  least  the  general  sentiment  of  even  a  single  line,  since 
the  worship  addressed  to  the  mother  is  simply  transferred  to 
the  Son,  before  whom  angels  bow. 

The  various  published  translations  of  the  Mater  Dolorosa, 
which  I  have  studied  carefully,  have  influenced  mine  to  a  cer- 
tain extent.  I  am  more  indebted,  however,  to  a  manuscript 
version  by  the  Rev.  W.  S.  McKenzie,  D.D.,  of  Boston.  It  is 
faithful  to  the  Latin  in  an  eminent  degree,  and,  in  addition, 
possesses  the  merit  of  a  smooth  and  graceful  style. 


THE    MATER    SPECIOSA. 

Stood  the  mother  in  her  beauty, 
Rapt  with  thoughts  of  love  and  duty, 

Near  the  stall  where  lay  her  child ; 
And  her  soul,  forgetting  sadness, 
Glowed  with  light  of  new-born  gladness, 

Filled  and  thrilled  with  transport  mild. 

Of  all  women  has  none  other 
Joyed  like  her,  the  sinless  mother 

Of  God's  sole  begotten  Son, 
As  with  laughter  and  elation 
She  beheld  the  incarnation 

Of  the  High  and  Holy  One. 

Who  his  heart's  delight  could  smother, 
And  regard  unmoved  Christ's  mother 
Playing  with  her  baby  boy? 

23 


24  THE    MATER   SPECIOSA. 

Who  could  all  her  peerless  treasure 
Of  celestial   solace    measure, 
Void  of  sympathetic  joy? 

Then,  again,  she  saw  with  sighing 
Christ  for  our  offences  lying 

Cold  among  the  beasts  of  earth, 
Worshipped,  yet  to  man  a  stranger, 
Weeping  in  that  meanest  manger 

Where  she  laid  Him  at  His  birth. 

On  that  babe  thus  cradled  lowly 
Gazed  all  heavenly  spirits  holy, 

Singing  loud  His  worthy  praise, 
While,  with  rapture  overladen, 
Joseph  and  the  mother-maiden 

Could  not  speak  for  sweet  amaze. 

Mother,  fount  of  love's  devotion, 
Let  me  feel  thy  deep  emotion, 

Let  me  with  thy  passion  glow, 
Let  me  thine  affection  borrow 
For  thy  Son  in  joy  and  sorrow, 

That  His  blessing  I  may  know. 


THE  MATER   SPECIOSA.  25 

Holy  maid,  the  benediction 
Of  His  birth  to  sore  affliction 

Print  upon  mine  inmost  heart ; 
With  thy  Son,  from  Heaven  descended 
To  the  manger,  poor,  unfriended, 

May  I  ever  have  a  part. 

Grant  as  well  thy  joy  o'erflowing, 
While  I  cleave  to  Christ  with  growing 

Ardor  till  my  life  is  spent; 
With  thy  fervor  stir  and  cheer  me ; 
Let  thy  little  child  be  near  me 

Through  this  world  of  banishment. 

Virgin,  virgins  all  excelling, 
Pardon  words  from  love  outwelling: 

I  would  seize  thy  babe  from  thee, 
And  would  bear,  O  sweet  abduction! 
Him  whose  birth  was  death's  destruction, 

Him  whose  death  brought  life  to  me. 

O  for  Christ  to  satiation, 
Pure  and  high  intoxication ! 

O  to  dance  with  joy  divine ! 


26  THE  MATER   SPECIOSA. 

O  for  fire  my  soul  possessing 
And  my  flesh  and  sense  repressing, 
Since  such  fellowship  is  mine ! 

Ye  who  love  this  lowly  stable, 

With  the  shepherds  through  the  sable 

Night  keep  watch,  a  sleepless  band. 
Mother,  by  thy  Son's  dear  merit 
Pray  that  His  elect  inherit 

Of  His  grace  their  fatherland. 

Let  thy  Son  His  blessing  send  me ; 
Let  that  Word  of  God  defend  me  ; 

Keep  me  in  thy  tender  love  ; 
When  this  mortal  flesh  shall  perish, 
Evermore  my  spirit  cherish 

In  thy  Paradise  above. 


THE    MATER   SPECIOSA. 

ADAPTED  TO  THE  DEVOTIONAL  USE  OF  PROTESTANTS. 

Stood  the  mother  in  her  beaut}*, 
Rapt  with  thoughts  of  love  and  duty, 

Near  the  stall  where  lay  her  child; 
And  her  soul,  forgetting  sadness, 
Glowed  with  light  of  new-born  gladness, 

Filled  and  thrilled  with  transport  mild. 

Of  all  women  has  none  other 
Joyed  like  her,  the  blessed  mother 

Of  God's  sole  begotten  Son, 
As  with  laughter  and  elation 
She  beheld  the  incarnation 

Of  the  High  and  Holy  One. 

Who  his  heart's  delight  could  smother, 
And  regard  unmoved  Christ's  mother 
Playing  with  her  baby  boy? 

27 


28  THE  MATER   SPECIOSA. 

Who  could  all  her  peerless  treasure 
Of  celestial  solace  measure, 
Void  of  sympathetic  joy? 

Then,  again,  she  saw  with  sighing 
Christ  for  our  offences  lying 

Cold  among  the  beasts  of  earth, 
Worshipped,  yet  to  man  a  stranger, 
Weeping  in  that  meanest  manger 

Where  she  laid  Him  at  His  birth. 

On  that  babe  thus  cradled  lowly 
Gazed  all  heavenly  spirits  holy, 

Singing  loud  His  worthy  praise, 
While,  with  rapture  overladen, 
Joseph  and  the  mother-maiden 

Could  not  speak  for  sweet  amaze. 

Mother,  home  of  love's  devotion, 
I  would  feel  thy  deep  emotion, 

I  would  with  thy  passion  glow, 
I  would  thine  affection  borrow 
For  thy  Son  in  joy  and  sorrow, 

That  His  blessing  I  may  know. 


THE  MATER   SPELT  OS  A.  29 

Holy  maid,  with  benediction 
Of  His  birth  to  sore  affliction 

I  would  fill  mine  inmost  heart ; 
With  thy  Son,  from  Heaven  descended 
To  the  manger,  poor,  unfriended, 

I  would  ever  have  a  part. 

Teach  as  well  thy  joy  o'erflowing, 
While  I  cleave  to  Christ  with  growing 

Ardor  till  my  life  is  spent ; 
May  thy  fervor  stir  and  cheer  me ; 
May  thy  little  child  be  near  me 

Through  this  world  of  banishment. 

Virgin,  virgins  all  excelling, 
Pardon  words  from  love  out  welling: 

I  would  seize  thy  babe  from  thee, 
And  would  bear,  O  sweet  abduction ! 
Him  whose  birth  was  death's  destruction, 

Him  whose  death  brought  life  to  me. 

O  for  Christ  to  satiation, 
Pure  and  high  intoxication ! 

O  to  dance  with  joy  divine  ! 


30  THE  MATEB   SPECW8A. 

O  for  lire  my  soul  possessing 
And  my  flesh  and  sense  repressing, 
Since  such  fellowship  is  mine  ! 

Ye  who  love  this  lowly  stable, 

With  the  shepherds  through  the  sable 

Night  keep  watch,  a  sleepless  band. 
Jesus,  by  Thy  priceless  merit, 
Grant  that  Thine  elect  inherit 

Of  Thy  grace  their  fatherland. 

Through  Thy  cross  Thy  blessing   send  me ; 
Holy    Word  of  God,  defend  me  ; 

Keep  me  in  Thy  tender  love; 
When  this  mortal  flesh  shall  perish, 
Evermore  my  spirit  cherish 

In  Thy  Paradise  above. 


THE    MATER    DOLOROSA. 

Stood  the  mournful  mother  weeping, 
Near  the  cross  her  vigil  keeping, 

Where  He  hung,  her  Son  adored  : 
Through  her  soul,  of  hope  forsaken, 
And  of  mighty  sorrows  shaken, 

Pierced  the  sharp  relentless  sword. 

Of  all  women  has  none  othsr 
Suffered  like  the  blessed  mother 

Of  God's  sole  begotten  Son, 
Who  with  fervent  love  unfailing 
And  with  anguish  unavailing 

Gazed  upon  that  dying  One. 

Who  is  hard,  yet  being  human, 

That  bereaved  and  weeping  woman 

To  behold  with  tearless  eyes? 
31 


32  THE  MATER   DOLOROSA. 

Who,  his  bosom  sternly  steeling, 
Would  not  feel  with  all  her  feeling 
Of  her  Son's  keen   agonies? 

Long  she  saw  that  loved   One  languish 
For  His  people's  sins  in  anguish, 

Saw  His  meekness  'neath  the  rod, 
Saw  her  Son,  of  all  deserted  — 
Earth  and  Heaven  from  Him  averted  — 

Yield  His  spirit  up  to  God. 

Mother,  fount  of  love's  devotion, 
I,  beholding  thine  emotion, 

Would  thy  burden  with  thee  bear ; 
Let  me  thine  affection  borrow 
For  thy  Son  in  all  His  sorrow, 

That  thy  mourning  I  may  share. 

Holy  mother,  with  affliction 
Of  His  saving  crucifixion 

Fill  and  thrill  mine  inmost  heart ; 
With  thy  Son,  His  wounds  receiving 
Tli at  have  caused  thy  soul  its  grieving, 

May  I  ever  have  a  part. 


THE  MATER   D0L01WSA.  33 

I  would  weep  with  all  thy  weeping, 
Vigil  with  thy  vigil  keeping, 

Till  my  mortal  life  shall  fail ; 
Near  the  cross  and  near  beside  thee, 
Where  these  agonies  betide  thee, 

I  would  stand  and  with  thee  wail. 

Virgin,  virgins  all  excelling, 

For  thy  love  and  grief  a  dwelling 

Pure  and  holy  make  in  me; 
Let  me  bear  Christ's  crucifying; 
Let  me  know  the  pains  of  dying 

That  He  suffered  on  the  tree. 

Let  my  heart  with  His  be  riven; 
Let  His  cup  to  me  be  given; 

Let  me  of  its  depths  partake ; 
And,  still  flaming  thus  with  fervor, 
Let  me  find  thee  my  preserver 

When  the  Judgment  Day  shall  break. 

Through  the  cross  thy  blessing  send  me  ; 
Let  Christ's  death  from  sin  defend  me ; 
Care  for  me  in  tender  love; 


34  THE  MATER  DOLOROSA. 

When  this  mortal  flesh  shall  perish, 
Let  thy  Son  my  spirit  cherish 
In  His  Paradise  above. 


THE  MATER  DOLOROSA 

ADAPTED  TO  THE  DEVOTIONAL  USE  OF  PROTESTANTS. 

Stood  the  mournful  mother  weeping, 
Near  the  cross  her  vigil  keeping, 

Where  He  hung,  her  Son  adored: 
Through  her  soul,  of  hope  forsaken, 
And  of  mighty  sorrow  shaken, 

Pierced  the  sharp  relentless  sword. 

Of  all  women  has  none  other 
Suffered  like  the  blessed  mother 

Of  God's  sole  begotten  Son, 
Who  with  fervent  love  unfailing 
And  with  anguish  unavailing 

Gazed  upon  that  dying  One. 

Who  is  hard,  yet  being  human, 
That  bereaved  and  weeping  woman 
To  behold  with  tearless  eyes? 
35 


THE  MATER   DOLOROSA. 

Who,  his  bosom  sternly  steeling, 
Would  not  feel  with  all  her  feeling 
Of  her  Son's  keen  agonies? 

Long  she  saw  that  loved  One  languish 
For  His  people's  sins  in  anguish, 

Saw  His  meekness  'neath  the  rod, 
Saw  her  Son,  of  all  deserted  — 
Earth  and  Heaven  from  Him  averted  — 

Yield  His  spirit  up  to  God. 

Mother,  fount  of  love's  devotion, 
I,  beholding  thine  emotion, 

Would  thy  burden  with  thee  bear; 
Let  me  thine  affection  borrow 
For  thy  Son  in  all  His  sorrow, 

That  thy  mourning  I  may  share. 

Holy  mother,  with  affliction 
Of  His  saving  crucifixion 

Would  I  fill  mine  inmost  heart ; 
Witli  thy  Son,  His  wounds  receiving 
That  have  caused  thy  soul  its  grieving, 

Would  I  ever  have  a  part. 


THE  MAT  Ell   DOLOROSA.  37 

I  would  weep  with  all  thy  weeping, 

Vigil   with  thy  vigil  keeping. 

Till  my  mortal  life  shall   fail; 
Near  the  cross  and  near  beside  thee, 
Where  these  agonies  betide  thee, 

I  would  stand  and  with  thee  wail. 

Jesus,  all  our  thoughts  excelling, 
For  Thy  love  and  grief  a  dwelling 

Pure  and  holy  make  in  me ; 
Let  me  know  Thy  crucifying; 
Let  me  feel  the  pains  of  dying 

Thou  didst  suffer  on  the  tree. 

Let  my  heart  with  Thine  be  riven; 
Let  Thy  cup  to  me  be  given; 

Let  me  of  its  depths  partake; 
And,  still  flaming  thus  with  fervor, 
Let  me  find  Thee  my  Preserver 

When  the  Judgment  Day  shall  break. 

Through  Thy  cross  Thy  blessings  send  me; 
Let  Thy  death  from  sin  defend  me; 
Care  for  me  in  tender  love; 


gg  THE  MATER   DOLOROSA. 

When  this  mortal  flesh  shall  perish, 
Evermore  my  spirit  cherish 
In  Thy  Paradise  above. 


